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Greta Magnusson Grossman Exhibition


Table lamp with one cone shade and one “Cobra” shade. Produced by Ralph O. Smith, 1948-49. Desk in walnut, plastic laminate and wrought iron. Produced by Glenn of California, 1952. “Good Design” chair in walnut. Produced by Glenn of California, 1952.

In celebration of the exhibition and publication of Greta Magnusson Grossman – A Car and Some Shorts, Arkitekturmuseet presents the first major retrospective exhibition on Swedish-American designer and architect Greta Magnusson Grossman. The exhibition is a collaboration between R 20th Century and the Swedish Museum of Architecture, Stockholm and is curated by Evan Snyderman (principal, R 20th Century) and Karin Aberg Waern (curator, Arkitekturmuseet).


Rare three panel folding screen in walnut and metal. Produced by Glenn of California, 1952.


“Cobra” floor lamp. Produced by Ralph O. Smith, 1948-49. Double-shaded floor lamp. Produced by Ralph O. Smith, 1948-49.“Grasshopper” floor lamp. Produced by Ralph O. Smith, 1947-48.

From the press release:

The exhibition and catalogue begin with Grossman’s education and early work in Stockholm during the 1930s in her own firm, Studio, and covers her immigration to Los Angeles and career in which she single-handedly ran her own architecture and design firm. The exhibition includes architectural commissions in Sweden as well as Northern and Southern California and designs for the many companies she worked with including Barker Brothers, Ralph O. Smith and Glenn of California. The exhibition provides an overview of a unique body of work spanning 30 years and characterized by elegant simplicity, humour and an urge to experiment with new materials.

This is an introduction to Magnusson Grossman for a larger audience. Even though her works were widely published in prominent magazines and newspapers during her time, until recently her work has been largely forgotten both in the USA and in her native Sweden. The exhibition includes exemplary pieces of furniture and lighting, prototypes and textiles as well as drawings of architecture and industrial design. There are photographs by renowned photographers including Julius Shulman, film clips and a 1:1 reconstruction of an interior.


Sideboard in walnut with cane shelf. Produced by Glenn of California, 1954. Table lamp with three arms and conical shades. Produced by Ralph O. Smith, 1948-49.


Dining and lounge chairs in walnut. Produced by Glenn of California, 1952-54. “Good Design” chair at center.

What: Greta Magnusson Grossman
When: February 10,  2010 – May 16, 2010
Where: R Gallery, 82 Franklin Street, New York, NY 10013

Jaime Derringer, Founder + Executive Editor of Design Milk, is a Jersey girl living in SoCal. She dreams about funky, artistic jewelry + having enough free time to enjoy some of her favorite things—running, reading, making music, and drawing.